Cindy Wright, Miiss Jamaica Universe 2006, smiles after being crowned. - PHOTOS BY WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
EVERYONE WHO attended the Miss Universe coronation at the Hilton Kingston hotel last Sunday, had the winner chosen before they took their seats.
Camille Bartley, Freddi Jacobs, Ayana Dixon, Raquel Phillpotts and Tanesha Davis were the crowd favourites from the beginning. Each time they appeared on-stage, it was to thunderous applause.
When master of ceremonies Angelie Martin-Spencer asked who would take the crown from Raquel Wright, the choice was clear. The crowd shouted Tanesha.
TOP 12
The choices were narrowed when the top 12 were announced. Georgia Bennett, Ayanna Dixon, Stephanie McLean, Danesha-Raquel Osbourne, Nicolette Gomex, Billie Gene Campbell, Cindy Wright, Monique Russell, Lorraine Murray, Vanessa Dockery, Tanesha Davis and Raquel Phillpotts.
When the top five of Georgia Bennett, Stephanie McLean, Danesha-Raquel Osbourne, Cindy Wright and Tanesha Davis were announced, the crowd had already decided the heat was on between Tanesha Davis and Cindy Wright.
There was astonishment when second runner-up Osbourne and first runner-up Georgia Bennett were announced. From the immediate murmurs that followed, they did not find favour with everyone's list. Everyone was convinced that Tanesha Davis would take the crown, even though she only stood at five foot three inches.
The statuesque 5'11", green-eyed 20-year-old Cindy Wright was announced Miss Jamaica Universe 2006. Still stunned, Wright vowed to be the first Jamaican to take home the Miss Universe title. Wright said she entered the competition to win, but also because she thought it would be a good experience and open doors to her career path.
A graduate of Convent Christian Academy, Wright is a second-year fashion merchandising student at the University of Arts and Design in Miami, Florida. She has been a Pulse model since 2004 when she entered the Caribbean Fashion Search and placed in the top five.
Four days after receiving the title, the queen who describes herself as humble, was still trying to absorb all the excitement. Reflecting on the competition, she told Flair, "I do believe I was the best choice. My nerves got the better of me, but I think I did very well in the morning interviews. It was very relaxed." She said further, "Everyone will always have something to say, but I can't let that get the best of me, I have to keep focused."
She said the competition has built her confidence and self-esteem. But she does not seem lacking in confidence as she promised, "I will make Jamaica proud to take home the title and go down in history for that."
